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Dead Island 2

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Dead Island 2
Developer(s)Dambuster Studios[n 1]
Publisher(s)Deep Silver
SeriesDead Island
EngineUnreal Engine 4[1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseApril 21, 2023
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Dead Island 2 is a 2023 action role-playing game developed by Dambuster Studios and published by Deep Silver. It is a sequel to the 2011 video game Dead Island and the third major installment in the Dead Island series. Set about 15 years after the events of Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide, Dead Island 2 differentiates itself from its predecessors by taking place in the city of Los Angeles, which has been quarantined due to a zombie outbreak. The game was released on April 21, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Announced in 2014, the game spent more than eight years in development hell[2] due to multiple changes with the studios working on it. Yager Development was originally hired to develop Dead Island 2 in 2012, but was removed from the project in 2015 and replaced by Sumo Digital the following year. Sumo Digital was subsequently removed, with Dambuster, an internal studio of Deep Silver, becoming the developers in 2019.[3]

Gameplay[]

Template:Expand-section Dead Island 2 takes place in Los Angeles. The game's combat has different mechanics than its predecessors. Dead Island 2 includes several features from its predecessors, such as the "rage" and crafting systems.[4]

Plot[]

About 15 years after the events of Dead Island,[5] the United States government and US military are forced to put Los Angeles under a full quarantine restricted zone due to a new and stronger zombie outbreak.

As Los Angeles is being quarantined, six individuals (dubbed "Slayers") attempt to board one of the last evacuation flights out of the city: hustler Bruno, mechanic Carla, retail worker Dani, firefighter-themed stripper Ryan, athlete Amy, and stuntman Jacob.

In the confusion, the evacuation flight ends up having an infected on board, causing the army to shoot it down. The Slayers narrowly survive the crash but end up getting bitten and infected trying to help some other survivors. The Slayers manage to make their way to the home of one of the crash survivors, actress Emma Jaunt, who reluctantly shelters them despite their infection. Sam B, Emma's ex-boyfriend, arrives at the mansion, intending to get Emma out of the city and revealing he is immune to the infection, and the Slayers come to realize that they are immune as well. With the Slayers still intent to get out of the city, they head to the nearest evacuation center at the Halperin Hotel. The Slayers find the hotel overrun and recover a radio and make contact with Dr. Reuben Reed, a CDC doctor who asks them to come to his safe haven in Santa Monica where they can use the Slayers' immunity to synthesize a cure. Sam warns the Slayers not to trust Reed.

The Slayers head through the sewers to get to Santa Monica, finding out that the zombie corpses the military had been dumping into the sewers have begun to meld together into a massive, tumor-like growth spreading underneath the city. They are stopped by another group of survivors led by Lola Konradt, who drops the Slayers into a pit full of zombies which temporarily triggers a bestial rage in them which they use to kill all the zombies. The Slayers manage to reach Reed's haven at the Serling Hotel. Reed informs them that the military will not extract them from LA unless they provide proof of immunity, which means using Reed's testing equipment at the overrun CDC HQ. The Slayers recover the equipment, and return to find out that Reed and Konradt are acquaintances. The Slayers are sent to find Reed's missing daughter Tisha, who is working with a team of hackers investigating mysterious encrypted data being exchanged by the CDC. Tisha tells the Slayers a way to contact Konradt directly in return for them to give her more time to investigate the CDC.

Konradt tips the Slayers off to a secret lab Reed was sending other immune subjects to. While fighting an infected test subject, the Slayers succumb to their bestial instincts and attack Tisha, who apparently kills them, only for them to be revived to Konradt. She explains to the Slayers that she, her followers, and the Slayers are a new type of humanity dubbed Numen, who can assimilate the infection, called the Autophage, while retaining their minds and gain a telepathic hive mind with other Numen. Before leaving, she warns the Slayers that Reed is not actually searching for a cure. The Slayers return to the Serling Hotel to confront Reed, to find out he has fled with Tisha to a lab on Hollywood Blvd and that he was responsible for the Autophage outbreak in LA.

Furious at constantly being lied to, the Slayers gather together Emma, Sam, and helicopter pilot Patton with the intention of stealing Reed's helicopter and leaving the city. They reach Hollywood Blvd, where Sam begins to succumb to the Autophage, his immunity deteriorating. The Slayers go on ahead and confront Reed, who admits that he released the Autophage in LA in order to filter out Numen, explaining that the Autophage is not a plague, but a part of humanity's DNA that is hard-coded to wipe them all out at a predetermined time; the Numen, who he considers either anomalies or "puppets" of the Autophage, were his only way to find a method to neutralize it. He gives the Slayers a single dose of Autophage cure, and reveals that Tisha also carries the cure in her body as he secretly injected her with Numen blood prior to birth in order to harvest the cure for the rest of her life. Reed succumbs to the Autophage, forcing the Slayers to kill him while Tisha flees.

The Slayers return to Emma, Sam and Patton and administer the cure to Sam, saving his life. The Slayers decide to stay behind in LA to find Tisha as well as help the other survivors trapped in the city. As Emma, Sam and Patton escape the city, Konradt and her followers watch over the Slayers as they fight another horde of zombies.

Development[]

Techland was originally set to develop Dead Island 2, but instead they decided to focus on developing Dying Light with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.[6] Deep Silver went looking for a developer until Yager Development pitched the game to Deep Silver in Q3 2012 and got the deal.[7] Yager established a new division, Yager Productions GmbH, for development of Dead Island 2.[8] As announced at Sony's E3 2014 media briefing, Dead Island 2 will be more vibrant than its predecessors.[9] The game was originally scheduled for a Q2 2015 release.[10]

At Gamescom 2014, Deep Silver demonstrated gameplay footage from an early version of the game. According to the presented content, the game is set in California, including landmarks such as the Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood, as well as many locations in San Francisco. Similarly, only a fraction of the weapon modifications and the new zombies have been shown at the stage. Furthermore, Deep Silver stated that the game will feature four playable characters,[6] though only two were shown at the Gamescom Demo. It was originally planned to feature eight-player cooperative multiplayer.[11]

In July 2015, Deep Silver announced that Yager has been dropped from developing the game and development would be moved to another unnamed developer.[12] The managing director of Yager Development, Timo Ullmann, later stated that the company's departure from the project occurred because "Yager and Deep Silver's respective visions of the project fell out of alignment".[13] Yager Productions filed for insolvency in July 2015.[14]

In March 2016, UK-based studio Sumo Digital announced that it had taken over the development.[15] In August 2017, Deep Silver reiterated that the game was still in development, making a similar statement again in July 2018.[16][17] In August 2019, THQ Nordic announced that development of the game had changed hands to Dambuster Studios, an internal studio of Deep Silver.[18]

A 2015 playable version of the still-under-development game while at Yager was leaked in June 2020.[8]

The game was shown at Gamescom 2022, where the February 3, 2023 release date was announced. In November 2022, it was announced that the game would be delayed until April 28, 2023, to allow additional development time.[19] In February 2023, the release date was moved to a week earlier on April 21.[20] The German version is censored. The player cannot further maim fallen enemies.[21]

Reception[]

Dead Island 2 received "generally favorable reviews" for the Windows and Xbox Series X/S versions, and "mixed or average reviews" for the PlayStation 5 version from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[22][23][24]

The game sold 1 million units in 3 days after launch.[43]

Notes[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Lemne, Bengt (21 August 2014). "How Dead Island 2 pushed Unreal Engine 4 beyond its early limits". Game Reactor. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022. {{cite web}}:
  2. ↑ Wood, Austin (April 24, 2023). "After 8 years in development hell, Dead Island 2 sells 1 million copies in its first weekend". Yahoo. https://sports.yahoo.com/8-years-development-hell-dead-203213769.html. 
  3. ↑ O'Connor, James (May 20, 2020). "New Saints Row And Dead Island 2 Are Not Planned Until After March 2021". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-19. {{cite web}}:
  4. ↑ Northup, Travis (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  5. ↑ 86 Rapid-Fire Questions About Dead Island 2. Game Informer. January 25, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebvjGbVzm28. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kollar, Phil (2014). "Dead Island 2 - New developer Yager reveals what it calls 'the smallest MMO in the world.'". Polygon. Archived from the original on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014. {{cite web}}:
  7. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (1 July 2014). "California Dreamin': Dead Island 2 embraces the slaughter". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014. {{cite web}}:
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Yin-Poole, Wesley (June 6, 2020). "People are playing a five-year-old build of Dead Island 2". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020. {{cite web}}:
  9. ↑ "Dead Island 2- Official E3 Announce Trailer | PS4". YouTube. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015. {{cite web}}:
  10. ↑ Good, Owen (9 June 2014). "Dead Island 2 announced, planned for Spring 2015". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014. {{cite web}}:
  11. ↑ Purchese, Robert (12 June 2014). "Dead Island 2 has opt-out 8-player multiplayer". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015. {{cite web}}:
  12. ↑ Futter, Mike (14 July 2015). "Deep Silver Drops Yager As Developer Of Dead Island 2". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/07/14/deep-silver-drops-yager-as-developer-of-dead-island-2-.aspx. Retrieved 14 July 2015. 
  13. ↑ Matulef, Jeffery (15 July 2015). "Dead Island 2 is no longer being made by Yager". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015. {{cite web}}:
  14. ↑ Hurley, Leon (29 July 2015). "Yager's fine. It's just the Dead Island 2 bit that's shut down". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015. {{cite web}}:
  15. ↑ Calvin, Alex (10 March 2016). "Sumo Digital takes over Dead Island 2 development". MCV/Develop. http://www.develop-online.net/news/sumo-digital-takes-over-dead-island-2-development/0217723. Retrieved 10 March 2016. 
  16. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (8 May 2017). "Dead Island 2 is still alive, Deep Silver insists". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018. {{cite web}}:
  17. ↑ Prescott, Shaun (6 July 2018). "Dead Island 2 is still coming, says official Twitter account". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/dead-island-2-is-still-coming-says-official-twitter-account/. Retrieved 6 July 2018. 
  18. ↑ Romano, Sal (2019-08-14). "Deep Silver Dambuster Studios takes over Dead Island 2 development". Gematsu. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-14. {{cite web}}:
  19. ↑ Romano, Sal (November 17, 2022). "Dead Island 2 delayed to April 28, 2023". Gematsu. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022. {{cite web}}:
  20. ↑ Yang, George (February 14, 2023). "Dead Island 2 Release Date Moved Forward by One Week". IGN. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  21. ↑ Elsner, Philipp; Aschenbrenner, Vali (17 April 2023). "Dead Island 2: Release mit USK-Freigabe in Deutschland, aber nicht uncut". GameStar . Webedia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023. {{cite web}}:
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Dead Island 2 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Dead Island 2 for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Dead Island 2 for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  25. ↑ Moyse, Chris (April 18, 2023). "Review: Dead Island 2". Destructoid. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  26. ↑ Colantonio, Giovanni (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review: gory zombie sequel is all blood, no brains". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  27. ↑ Bloodworth, Daniel (April 19, 2023). "Review: Dead Island 2". Easy Allies. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  28. ↑ LeBlanc, Wesley (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 Review - A Good Weekend Getaway To LA". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/review/dead-island-2/a-good-weekend-getaway-to-la. Retrieved April 18, 2023. 
  29. ↑ Delaney, Mark (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 Review - Eat The Rich". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  30. ↑ Hurley, Leon (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review: "a one note thrill, but it's a note that absolutely sings"". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  31. ↑ Shive, Chris (April 18, 2023). "Review: Dead Island 2". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  32. ↑ Northup, Travis (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  33. ↑ McCarter, Reid (April 18, 2023). "'Dead Island 2' review: a shambling zombie game in need of sharper bite". NME. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  34. ↑ Parker, Lewis (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  35. ↑ Rose, Danielle (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review – a slow bleed, but worth the pain". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  36. ↑ Bayne, Aaron (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 Review (PS5)". Push Square. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  37. ↑ White, Lucas (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review: Precedent Evil". Shacknews. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  38. ↑ Stuart, Keith (April 19, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review – rollicking zombie hack-n-slasher has missed its moment". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  39. ↑ Silver, Dan (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review: much-delayed zombie slasher sequel is a gonzo, gore-soaked gaming guilty pleasure". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  40. ↑ Middler, Jordan (April 18, 2023). "Review: Dead Island 2 is a sickeningly gruesome joy". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  41. ↑ Raynor, Kelsey (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review: a HELL-A zany take on the co-op zombie shooter". VG247. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  42. ↑ James, Ford (April 18, 2023). "Dead Island 2 review – Hollywood undead". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023. {{cite web}}:
  43. ↑ "Dead Island 2 shifts 1m copies in its first weekend of release" (in en-gb). Eurogamer.net. 2023-04-24. https://www.eurogamer.net/dead-island-2-shifts-1m-copies-in-its-first-weekend-of-release. 

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